Kyogen
We saw a kyogen performance.
This is a classical theatre production.
Most of the entertainers in Japan are men.
Kabuki
Kabuki is a special sophisticated theatre found only in
Japan. Performers wear special makeup
and traditional large, elaborate costumes.
The kabuki form of theatre was founded by a woman. She brought the unique dance style to Japan
in the 17th century. Early
on all roles were played by men. It combines acting, music and dance to tell
stories from Japanese history.
A person
plays the koto, a large wooden instrument with 13 strings. It is played with pics called tsume placed
on the index finger, middle finger and thumb on the right hand. Sounds are adjusted with 13 bridges called
ji which are placed under each string.
Together with the Japanese guitar beautiful Japanese music can be heard.
This wooden
Japanese instrument is fun to play. You
shake the handles up and down to make music.
Art
Lacquerware
started in the late 17th century.
Many layers of colored lacquer are placed on wood. This is very time consuming but the finish
is so brilliant.
Many Japanese teapots and cups are made out of porcelain.
Ceramics
started at the end of the 12th century.
Pottery and
ceramics are found throughout Japan.
Pottery and
ceramics are used for daily and for ornamental purposes.
I had the
chance to make these ceramic dolls.
Wonderful prints of art decorate Japan.
Statues decorate walk areas near modern buildings,
on
sidewalks,
on temples,
and on
manhole covers.
So many
products in Japan are made out of rice paper.
Children in
elementary school made origami, a special paper folding art.
Origami
Fortune Teller
You can use
this figure as a fortune teller or as a cup for small things.
1. Make a base. Turn the
figure over.
2. Fold all four corners in to meet in the center.
3. Fold the figure in half, crease, and unfold. Fold the figure in half the other way. Crease and unfold.
4. Slide the thumb and index finger of your left hand into two of the
pockets on the underside of the figure.
Put the thumb and index of your right hand into the remaining
pockets. Push the four fingers together
and the figure is ready for you to add fortunes. To add fortunes, write a number on each of the four outside
flaps. Write the name of a color on
each of the eight inside panels. Open
up each point on the inside and write one fortune on each of the eight
sections. Fold the flaps back down and
you are done.
To tell a
fortune: Ask a person to pick a number from the outside flaps. Count out the number by opening up the
mouth. First open one way and then open
the other way. After you have reached
the number picked, have the person pick a color from the inside. Spell out the name of the color by opening
the mouth one way and then the other way for each letter of the color
word. Lift the panel with the color and
read the fortune to the person.
Origami Cup
If you make
this cup with white paper, you can use it to take a drink!
1. Keep the side of the paper you want for the body of the cup on the
outside. Fold the paper in half
diagonally.
2. Fold the right point to meet the sloping left side of the
figure. Make sure that the top edge of
the point you are folding is parallel to the bottom of the figure.
3. Fold the left point so that it meets the top right corner.
4. Fold the top layer of the top point down as far as it will go.
5. Turn the figure over and valley fold the top point down on this
side too. Squeeze the sides of the
figure a little so it’s not flat.
If you like
origami check out this website.